Chapter 437: Time Reverse Technique and Fortune Golden Elixir The Reappearance of Qing Yuzi

"What spell did Brother Ji created?" Liu Tianning and Yun Tiandao looked at him with curious eyes.

"I've named it the 'Time Dream Recall Spell'," Ji Si replied.

"Time Dream Recall Spell," Liu Tianning and Yun Tiandao pondered its meaning. "What kind of effect does it have?"

Emperor Wu immediately said, "Ji Si, why don't you demonstrate it to them?"

"Alright." Ji Si straightened up, then gestured, "King Taihe, Brother Yun, and Grand Minister of Agriculture, please fall asleep naturally."

Zhao Xing, Liu Tianning, and Yun Tiandao immediately complied. At their current cultivation level, sleep was no longer a necessity, but occasionally sleeping helped them relax more.

Both sleeping and entering dreams could be actively controlled.

The three closed their eyes and fell into a deep slumber, after which Ji Si also closed her eyes.

***

One thousand five hundred years ago, in the demon territory.

Yun Tiandao stood on the Nine-Bend Celestial Stairway leading to the demon realm, its stone steps covered in frost that had not melted for years.

This temporary military pass was built against the Boundary Mountain. The main structure of the pass was cast from meteorite iron, its surface adorned with bronze bas-reliefs covered in suppression runes.

Stars flickered overhead, but the Heavenly Gang Big Dipper Array did not provide Yun Tiandao with a sense of security.

A lunar eclipse was occurring, and reinforcements for the demon army were arriving, leaving him with little time.

He had fought continuously for a hundred years, and this was the fifth large-scale offensive. Could he really break through and rescue his beloved and Emperor Xia?

With a determined gaze, Yun Tiandao descended the stone steps and began inspecting the military camp.

Soldiers wiped their arrows with enchanted water, battle banners flapped in the strong winds, and the ashes of burning talismans formed warning totems in the air. A crimson moon hung in the sky, the sea of clouds churned like boiling water, and plants grew in reverse.

As the wind swept past the bronze arrow tower of Nan Yuan Demon Suppression Pass, it carried a bone-scraping, blade-like howl.

Thirty-six black battle banners fluttered atop the city walls. Vermilion-drawn demon-suppressing runes on the banners burned with an eerie blue flame, their ashes falling onto the soldiers' shoulder guards, forming tiny, blood-colored frost flowers.

***

"General, it's time to rest. Your injuries haven't fully healed yet," an old physician said, flying over with a medicine box on his back.

"The demon race has already crossed the seventh ice barrier. I cannot rest," Yun Tiandao replied, shaking his head.

"You must rest and receive treatment," the old physician insisted. "Otherwise, I won't be able to account for it."

"Alright," Yun Tiandao conceded, following the old physician into the campaign hall and lying down.

The old physician began to acupuncture Yun Tiandao. As silver needles pierced his head, Yun Tiandao drifted into slumber.

In his dream, he found himself reunited with Zhao Xing, Liu Tianning, Ji Si, and Ji Che in a serene room.

"Brother Yun, when you wake up, please repeat my action," Ji Si suddenly said.

"Ji Si? Why am I dreaming of you? Where is this—"

The dream began to fracture.

***

One thousand eight hundred years ago, at Shenhua Dao Academy, the cultivation ground of Lord Qianhua.

"Liu Tianning, are you mad? The ninth level of the Demonic Heart Cave is only for cultivators in the Dao Domain Realm. Are you going there to die?!"

"Thank you for your advice, Senior Brother, but I believe I can do it." Liu Tianning's gaze was firm as he strode into the cave.

Inner demons, dreams—

Liu Tianning lay quietly in the dark cave, undergoing the trials of the Demonic Heart Cave.

He found himself reunited with Zhao Xing, Yun Tiandao, Ji Si, and Ji Che in a serene room.

"King Taihe, when you wake up, please repeat my action."

"Ji Si? The Demonic Heart Cave feels quite real—"

Liu Tianning let out a cold snort.

***

At Jiachen Pass, inside the Cloud Pavilion.

Ji Si suddenly opened her eyes. Simultaneously, Liu Tianning and Yun Tiandao also opened theirs.

Ji Si first glanced at Zhao Xing, then turned to Yun Tiandao and Liu Tianning, saying, "Both of you, please recall carefully if I ever appeared in your dreams."

A flicker of surprise crossed Yun Tiandao's and Liu Tianning's eyes, then they both nodded.

"Do you remember what I said?"

"We do."

Ji Si said nothing further, making a gesture of invitation.

Then, Yun Tiandao and Liu Tianning simultaneously made a cut on their thumbs, drawing a trace of blood.

Their actions were identical!

"This is the Time Dream Recall Spell," Ji Si explained. "Through dreams, I had a conversation with you from many years ago."

"What?"

"Is that for real?!"

"It's true," Liu Tianning said, deep in thought. "I suddenly remembered seeing Lady Ji in the Demonic Cave."

"I can confirm that this was not a mind attack or an illusion, but something that genuinely happened."

"I'm also certain," Yun Tiandao said, feeling it was unbelievable. "It was during that treatment just before I attacked the demon pass—how many years ago was that? This is truly miraculous."

***

"Wait, why hasn't Zhao Xing woken up yet?" Liu Tianning observed Zhao Xing, who remained with closed eyes.

Ji Si said helplessly, "I don't know why, but I couldn't trace any of the Grand Minister of Agriculture's dreams. Therefore, I couldn't establish any connection with him. It seems my divine ability still has shortcomings."

"I'm awake." Zhao Xing suddenly opened his eyes as well. "I also had a dream, Ji Si, and it's not your fault."

***

In Zhao Xing's dream.

Clouds swirled, and golden light shone brightly.

The light condensed into a stone platform with two long benches.

A figure emerged from the mist. Upon seeing clearly, Zhao Xing was momentarily stunned: "La—Teacher?!"

The person was indeed Qing Yuzi!

"Sit," Qing Yuzi, or rather, God Qing Yu, gestured for Zhao Xing to sit down.

"Yes," Zhao Xing obediently sat.

"Teacher, why are you in my dream?"

"If you could just be a bit more well-behaved, I wouldn't suddenly appear," Qing Yuzi snorted.

"I'm not well-behaved?" Zhao Xing was taken aback. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"You've transferred Ancient Physician Tianchen and Emperor Lingyuan to the Moon Withered Domain. What major event are you planning now?" Qing Yuzi asked.

Zhao Xing was speechless. He suspected old Qing had installed surveillance on him. How else would he know about this?

"Don't suspect me of monitoring you; I don't have that much free time," Qing Yuzi said. "I only discovered his movements were related to you by monitoring Ancient Physician Tianchen."

Zhao Xing was surprised again. Ancient Physician Tianchen was being monitored by Qing Yuzi?

How did he end up under Qing Yuzi's surveillance?

"Have you forgotten how I became a God Realm expert?" Qing Yuzi asked. "Ancient Physicians and the Ancient God clan have intricate ties, not to mention, I'm also from the Reincarnation Divine Hall."

Zhao Xing realized. The Eastern Yan Ancient Clan had resurrected an ancient god, and old Qing had become a god by seizing that god's power. There was an indissoluble connection between them.

If Ancient Physician was related to the Ancient Gods, then Qing Yuzi, or rather the Reincarnation Divine Hall, monitoring him made sense. "He's a madman," Qing Yuzi stated. "I've found that your karma is already entangled with his. If you get too close, your life will be in danger, and you might not even be able to revive after death."

Zhao Xing was startled. In his impression, Ancient Physician had no connection to madness; in fact, his reputation was excellent, and he had always been highly respected in the Xuanling Starfield.

Yet Qing Yuzi offered a completely opposite evaluation.

"Understood," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Take this," Qing Yuzi pushed over a jade slip.

"What is this?"

"The continuation of the Three Divine Life Palaces, the Great Divine Ability stage of the 'Reincarnation' secret art."

Seeing Zhao Xing's strange expression, Qing Yuzi irritably said, "Don't get the wrong idea. The main purpose of the 'Reincarnation' Great Divine Ability isn't to steal the Divine Evolution Stele, but to prevent karma from being bound."

"You've also cultivated the Gu family's Grand Void Scarecrow; it won't work without a soul-based method to control it."

Zhao Xing vowed, "Your disciple would never do such a thing. I don't have the same capabilities as you, Master."

Qing Yuzi chuckled, "You don't have capabilities? You have quite a lot of them."

"I haven't seen you for only a few thousand years, and you've not only passed the trials of Taichu City, become karmically entangled with Zuo Qiyu, formed a bond with the next leader of the Academy City, and now you're mixed up with the Ancient Physician—what else do you want to do?"

"Oh, right, you also want to return to the Xuanhuang Realm."

Zhao Xing's smile faltered, "Nothing can be hidden from you."

Yes, Zhao Xing's meeting with the people of Da Zhou at Jiachen Pass this time was to discuss returning to the Xuanhuang Realm.

Because times were different now, he had established a firm footing in the Empire, and the development of the Moon Withered Domain had attracted significant attention. So, taking some time to return to his old home in the Shenluo Withered Domain should not be a problem.

Wang Tianzhi was still confined in the House of Eras! It was time to get him "out of prison."

"Don't even think about a trip to Xuanhuang," Qing Yuzi doused Zhao Xing with cold water.

"Master, dynasties that have ascended from the Xuanhuang Realm have always returned at least once. It would be strange if I didn't think about returning at all," Zhao Xing offered his logic.

"It's very dangerous; it's not somewhere you can return to right now," Qing Yuzi shook his head.

Zhao Xing even detected a hint of fear in old Qing's tone.

Even old Qing was afraid? That was truly bizarre! What exactly was in the Xuanhuang Realm?

"If I don't go back, can I just send a message?" Zhao Xing asked, trying a compromise.

"I have a friend who developed a spell called 'Time Dream Recall Spell'."

Qing Yuzi pondered for a moment: "I am neither a Fate Master nor a Starry Sky Historian. I can only say that you must exercise caution."

"If one attempt fails, do not try a second time."

"Yes, I understand."

The new spell developed by Ji Si allowed communication with the past through dreams, making it possible to send a message to Wang Tianzhi.

If Ji Si was previously weak and unable to exert much influence, she could now play a significant role!

Ji Si, cultivating both Fate and History paths, subtly exuded the demeanor of a founding ancestor of a sect!

So, after awakening from the dream, Zhao Xing asked, "Lady Ji, how far back can your spell's effect trace?"

Ji Si replied, "The situation is complex. First, it depends on the cultivation gap between the recipient and the caster. Second, whether there were close intersections in history. Third, spatial distance. The Great Dao of Time and Space are inherently one and inseparable. The greater the distance, the harder it is for me to succeed."

***

Yun Tiandao asked, "What about the cost?"

Ji Si smiled faintly, "Since the effect is undetermined, the cost is also unknown. It could be very high, or very low."

"For instance, when you just cut your thumbs, that was an anchor point I left behind, allowing history and future to echo. And the information I transmitted was minimal, so the cost for me to cast this spell was very small."

Yun Tiandao looked at his thumb curiously, "Suppose Liu Tianning and I didn't follow your instructions, what would happen?"

"I would suffer a backlash," Ji Si replied.

"How does the cost compare to the Time Letter?" Liu Tianning asked.

"It's the same," Ji Si said. "It's just more clandestine and more effective."

"How can it be the same?" Liu Tianning was puzzled. "The past is set, while the future has infinite possibilities. Shouldn't influencing the past carry a higher cost than influencing the future?"

Ji Si explained, "Because what just passed was the future that occurred at that past time point. So, theoretically, what you said isn't wrong. Only by also cultivating as a Starry Sky Historian does one realize that modifying the past and predicting the future actually carry the same cost."

All three, Liu, Yun, and Zhao Xing, showed confused expressions.

As the saying goes, "professions are separated like mountains." When Ji Si began explaining the principles of the Fate and History Daos, they found it difficult to comprehend.

Zhao Xing, however, could still understand, as he had continuously followed Ji Si's growth and had even provided some directional guidance for the conception of this spell.

***

At this point in their conversation, Zhao Xing sent a telepathic message to Emperor Wu and Ji Si:

"Lady Ji, Your Majesty, I have something to discuss."

"Perfect," Emperor Wu replied, "I also have something to discuss with Elder Brother."

The subsequent gathering turned into a group of four, with Liu Tianning excluded.

This was because only four people knew about the situation regarding the Xuanhuang Realm: Yun Tiandao, Ji Che, Ji Si, and Zhao Xing. Since Qing Yuzi had said they still couldn't return, there was no need to include old Liu and increase the risk.

"What do you mean, we still can't go home?" Yun Tiandao frowned. "Why?"

He still wanted to take his Dao companion and Emperor Xia back to the Xuanhuang Realm, as it would help them recover their memories.

But now Zhao Xing was saying they couldn't go back.

Yun Tiandao was completely unaware of the intricacies involved, so he was puzzled.

"It's hard to say," Zhao Xing shook his head. "In short, this is the current situation. We have one chance to try and contact the Xuanhuang Realm. If this opportunity isn't successful, we'll just have to keep waiting."

"So be it," Yun Tiandao could only abandon the idea of returning.

"Ji Si, it's up to you," Zhao Xing said.

"Understood," Ji Si nodded.

***

Over the next month, Ji Si retrieved old items related to Wang Tianzhi and continuously cast the spell.

Zhao Xing carved a wooden statue of Qing Yuzi and placed it in the room, intending it as a protective deity for this casting.

Since old Qing had agreed, he couldn't stand idly by.

Zhao Xing even suspected that Qing Yuzi hadn't entered his dream for his own safety, but specifically for this matter.

A month later, Ji Si emerged from the room.

"How is it?" Zhao Xing asked.

"I'm not sure," Ji Si shook her head. "Whether Wang Tianzhi receives the message depends on whether there's feedback later. This method isn't suitable for real-time transmission; its effect is slow, but its strength lies in its stability."

"Perhaps he'll receive it in one or two years, or it might take hundreds or thousands of years."

Zhao Xing nodded.

Subsequently, the four of them sealed and archived the memory related to Wang Tianzhi. Unless a specific event triggered it, they would not recall this matter.

"Hmm? What are we doing here?" Emperor Wu frowned.

"What happened this past month?" Yun Tiandao also seemed confused.

Memory sealing was problematic; forgetting everything they had just discussed led them to wonder what they had been doing.

Fortunately, Ji Si and Zhao Xing were prepared for such an operation. A card simultaneously flew out of their pockets, indicating that a memory seal had just been performed.

***

"It seems that Elder Brother has finished what he wanted to tell us," Ji Che said with a smile. "Then it's my turn to tell Elder Brother something else."

The second gathering began, but this time Yun Tiandao was excluded, and Liu Tianning was called in.

Zhao Xing was puzzled by this, while Ji Si explained:

"This matter concerns the internal affairs of Da Zhou."

"Although Yun Tiandao is from the same homeland, he is unwilling to join Da Zhou, so we had no choice but to drop the matter."

Ji Che regretfully said, "There was some possibility before, but now that he has found Emperor Xia, it's even less likely he'll join Da Zhou."

Zhao Xing asked, "Your Majesty, what kind of matter is this, and why must Yun Tiandao be excluded?"

He believed Yun Tiandao should be part of their group, and excluding him might discourage Yun Tiandao.

Ji Che remained silent, simply opening his palm. A golden, mist-filled object, resembling a medicinal pill, appeared.

"Hmm? What is this?" Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning glanced at it, both sensing a connection to the golden pill.

"This is a Qi Luck Golden Pill, condensed from the qi luck of Da Zhou," Ji Che explained. "The qi luck of our dynasty has four effects: first, extending life; second, injecting luck; third, protecting the Heavenly Soul; and fourth, enhancing cultivation realm."

"After entering the Xuanling Starfield, the Qi Luck Dynasty system encountered a bottleneck, but now it has achieved a new breakthrough."

Zhao Xing noticed that Ji Si was currently in the Yin-Yang Dao Domain Realm, and Liu Tianning was also in the Yin-Yang Dao Domain Realm.

However, Emperor Wu was already in the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm!

Ji Che opened his other hand, and a golden gateway appeared, entwined with coiled dragons, with civil and military officials standing in the hall.

Zhao Xing also saw his own and Liu Tianning's shadows.

"Da Zhou has developed for over four thousand years. Although we suffered a disastrous defeat in the Annihilation Star Corridor and faced some setbacks, we have still expanded our territory and population significantly, and the number of strong cultivators has continuously increased."

"Back when Elder Brother entered the Primal World, while we were exploring outside the domain, we also obtained many qi luck treasures and related ancient texts from various ruins."

"Among them was an item, possibly an ancient artifact from the Five Emperors era, which contained some secrets of the Great Dao of Qi Luck. Ji Si and I jointly comprehended it for three thousand years, finally breaking through the original Qi Luck Divine Dynasty bottleneck."

"Elder Brother, Brother-in-law, this Qi Luck Golden Pill is one of the results of our comprehension of the Great Dao of Qi Luck."

"Anyone who consumes it can choose one of two effects: either their qi luck will ascend by three tiers, or they will break through to the next realm."

***

Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning were shocked.

Qi luck ascending by three tiers, or breaking through to the next realm?

"Your Majesty, is this true?" Liu Tianning was somewhat disbelieving.

"Of course. If you don't believe me, you can choose someone to try it," Ji Che said with a faint smile.

Zhao Xing, meanwhile, focused his gaze on the golden palace in Ji Che's hand, but unfortunately, he couldn't discern anything special about it.

This was because his panel's detection function could only examine living beings, not identify equipment.

"Your Majesty, what is the cost of condensing this Qi Luck Golden Pill?" Zhao Xing asked.

"It consumed thirty percent of Da Zhou's national destiny," Ji Che said gravely. "If the consumer dies, it will have severe consequences for Da Zhou. All citizens, including myself, will experience stagnation in cultivation, and things will become very unlucky."

"If one dies, it's equivalent to losing a portion of the dynasty's qi luck. If one doesn't die, there are no issues."

Zhao Xing was somewhat stunned, never expecting that Ji Che had truly pursued the path of a Qi Luck Dynasty and achieved such a breakthrough.

His decision in this life to ascend with Da Zhou had unexpectedly yielded such results.

"Truly, 'planting a willow unintentionally yields shade'! Judging solely by its effects, the Qi Luck Golden Pill is already more powerful than a single Five Emperors Sub-Coin."

Zhao Xing recalled the effects of the Five Emperors Coins.

Possessing one Five Emperors Coin automatically increased qi luck by two tiers; gathering five coins together added ten tiers.

Moreover, the effect remained constant until Tier 30 of cultivation!

The 'Auspicious Emperor Coins' among the Five Emperors Coins started bidding at billions of Red Star Coins. Yet, these were merely 'sub-coins.' If it were a 'mother coin' that could add three tiers, the price would be even higher, and a complete set would be astronomically expensive.

Zhao Xing didn't possess any Five Emperors Coins himself, only an ancient platinum-zhu coin.

Previously, Zhao Xing hadn't been interested in the path of becoming a god through qi luck, nor did he pay much attention to it, but Da Zhou's development had somewhat exceeded his expectations.

"Elder Brother, who among you will consume this Qi Luck Golden Pill?" Ji Che asked.

"Let Teacher take it," Zhao Xing mused. "My need for a breakthrough isn't that great."

He was still raising his origin limits, and two of his three faction origins hadn't been fully replenished.

"Give it to Zhao Xing," Liu Tianning also deferred. "You can use it to add three tiers of qi luck, not necessarily for a breakthrough."

"Teacher, my qi luck is already quite high," Zhao Xing said. "Moreover, I am a Level 1 Sea Liaison and a Coral-grade member of the Primal World. I don't need more good fortune to resist the unknown risks during exploration."

In the early stages of exploration, Zhao Xing planned to gain some merits with Emperor Hongshan and cultivate simultaneously. By not running around recklessly, the risk factor was still very low.

Even if he were to run around, he would send out the Grand Void Scarecrow.

Liu Tianning, however, was different. As Lord Qianhua of Shenhua Dao Academy, he had virtually no say in such a major event in such a place.

There were too many lords; Lord Beihe was also a lord, but he couldn't even obtain a Level 3 command token unless he acted himself.

The teacher and disciple pushed and deferred to each other, making Ji Che somewhat helpless. "A decision must be made. I put a lot of effort into this; you can't just let it go to waste, can you?"

Liu Tianning assertively said, "I am the teacher, and you are the disciple. Are you not even going to listen to your teacher's command? Zhao Xing, consume the Qi Luck Golden Pill! I won't say it a second time!"

Without another word, Zhao Xing immediately pulled out the Grand Minister of Agriculture's Seal from his pocket. "Liu Tianning, heed my command!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Tianning's eyes. "You—you scoundrel, trying this trick on me?"

Zhao Xing grinned, "Although you are my esteemed teacher, we are now discussing state affairs. I am the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and you are merely a Junior Minister of Agriculture."

"Liu Tianning, obey my command!"

As he spoke, Zhao Xing had already written out the official document for the disposition of the Qi Luck Golden Pill.

*Thud!*

Soon, the Grand Minister of Agriculture's Seal was pressed down.

Watching Zhao Xing's carefree departing figure, Liu Tianning was filled with extreme annoyance!

If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have abdicated!

"What an unfilial disciple!"

***

The third meeting took place two years and six months later.

The five individuals reunited once more.

"The Empire's exploration initiative is vast and grand. The determination to develop the northwestern desolate regions is far stronger than ever before!"

"If the Moon Withered Domain can be opened up, it means escaping the barren and impoverished low-spirit energy regions, potentially discovering a vast and fertile new spirit domain."

Zhao Xing stood in the hall, delivering an impassioned speech: "Although the Scarlet Star Empire is powerful, there are no more opportunities domestically. After many years of its establishment, class stratification has become extremely severe."

"Cultivator families monopolize various lucrative businesses and territories. For individuals or families, climbing higher is as difficult as transforming a desolate region into a spirit domain."

"Major ancient nations even control spirit energy indices and divide cultivation areas, strictly prohibiting cultivation by non-citizens!"

"Exploring unknown territories could potentially lead to the discovery of new Origin Worlds, Emperor-grade troop types, or even legendary troop types. There are also many valuable, non-renewable mineral resources, materials for crafting Reincarnation Dao Soldiers, and even naturally formed divine artifacts—everything is possible."

"Forces that are afraid to participate or remain indecisive are destined to be eliminated in the future."

"We must step out of our comfort zones and join this exploration to stand out in the short term!"

"In the long run, the process of the Xuanling Starfield becoming desolate is unstoppable. The four Xuanling Dharma Assemblies before the Desolate Era all proved one point: the major superpowers are incredibly pessimistic about the future of the Xuanling Starfield." Scholar Bowei stood in front of a full-length mirror, speaking with excitement in his voice.

On the other side of the mirror stood a figure with a scarred, seemingly corroded face—it was Bians from the Annihilation Star Corridor.

"All data indicates that the proportion of breakthroughs to the Reincarnation Realm is decreasing year by year."

"Genius cultivators haven't decreased, the inheritance of Dao laws hasn't been severed, and the development of various professional systems is even more prosperous. Why is this happening? Because the Xuanling Starfield has entered its period of demise!"

"The northern reaches of the spirit domain are becoming increasingly cold; some star systems have dropped to negative three hundred and eight kelvins! Even the naturally cold-resistant Snow Demon race couldn't bear it and began to migrate, forcing them to attack humans."

"The desolate star belt was only 8.2 jian in length four eras ago, but now it has expanded to 32.9 jian!"

"And what have those omnipotent God Realm experts in the Xuanling Starfield been doing?"

Facing an agitated Bowei, Bians shook his head softly, "I don't know, my lord, but I feel it might not be appropriate to discuss this in the Omniscient Mirror. You know, I was expelled by Elder Zhixin back then, and the Omniscient Mirror is controlled by him—"

"They did nothing but watch from above," Bowei seemed to disregard Bians' words, continuing to speak to himself.

It wasn't until Bians reminded him again that Bowei calmly said, "Don't worry, I am now the master of the Omniscient Mirror."

"What?" Bians was taken aback. "Could it be that you..."

"Yes, I am about to enter the eighth layer of the Scholars' Realm," Bowei said, looking at the person in the mirror. "Bians, I have a grand plan. Are you interested in knowing it?"

***

While his clone was busy outside, his true body in the Primal World was quite relaxed.

With ample time before the departure date, Zhao Xing and Ai Miaomiao took the Thousand Star Vine to a row of ice-blue boundary stars.

"Junior Brother, we've arrived at the Ice Star Prison, but why are we here?" Ai Miaomiao asked.

Zhao Xing remembered an old acquaintance, and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "To browse the talent market."